Who: Skanska and Spitalfields Crypt Trust

Objective: For 50 years, the Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT) has been supporting the homeless community and those recovering from substance abuse addictions in the east of London. It helps rehabilitate people in
this situation and promotes good health and wellbeing as a key step on the road to recovery. Skanska, a major global construction firm with projects across the City of London, has worked with the SCT for three years to support its drop-in centres in the city. Skanska has seen over 150 employees volunteer to support the SCT drop-in centre. This October, SCT hosted a health and wellbeing day for the homeless which Skanska supported.

Strategy: The health and wellbeing ‘MOT day’ offered free TB, heart and dental checks, free haircuts and condoms and a free clothing store offering winter apparel. SCT drop-in manager Gary Davidge says the MOT day is important because winter causes health problems for homeless people and the services offered by SCT help to address that before the weather turns. Skanska’s support has provided volunteers to cook hot meals at the drop-in and carry out small refurbishments.

Rationale: Skanska’s community investment manager, James McKenzie-Boyle, says, “In 2012, Skanska was keen to find a local charity that our employees could volunteer with and support. As soon as we met SCT’s staff and visitors, we knew that we wanted to develop a long-term relationship. SCT has become engrained in the way we do business.” Skanska volunteer Shelley Reed adds, “The MOT event was a huge success but it was also a very humbling experience for me, when you think about what some people go through just to survive. Those I met were so grateful, it really did mean a lot to them. Without the support of the SCT/Skanska partnership, they wouldn’t have access to the clothes, sleeping bags and services available on the day. I felt privileged to be a part of it.”
 

Photograph: James Bellorini